The Evolution of Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah is on 106 & Park tonight!
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The Evolution of Queen Latifah - All hail the Queen! Rapper-actor-model-entrepreneur Queen Latifah has an acting career as notable as her musical one. Take a look back at the Queen's other great TV and movie moments right here!Don't miss Queen Latifah tonight on 106 & Park!(Photo: EPA/JUSTIN LANE/Landov)
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Born and Raised - Dana Elaine Owens was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to a schoolteacher mom and a police officer dad. She found her stage name, Latifah, meaning "delicate" and "very kind" in Arabic, in a muslim book of names at the age of 8. She caught the entertainment bug early, singing “Home” from the musical The Wiz in a high school play.(Photo: WENN)
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Demo To The Top - A demo of Latifah's made its way to now legendary record exec Dante Ross, who signed her to Tommy Boy Records and released her acclaimed debut album, All Hail the Queen, led by her classic feminist anthem, "Ladies First." The Queen was on her way.(Photo: Tommy Boy Records)
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Reign Supreme - Propelled by the uplifting, Grammy-winning "U.N.I.T.Y.," Latifah's third album, Black Reign, was her most successful yet, earning the Queen her first gold plaque.(Photo: Motown Records)
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Acting Bug - Expanding her boundaries just a few years after she entered the game, Queen Latifah made her film debut as an outspoken, not-having-it waitress in Spike Lee's 1991 Jungle Fever.(Photo: Universal Pictures)
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Living Single - Latifah took her acting up another notch when she landed a starring role on the hit sitcom Living Single in 1993. (Photo: Warner Bros.)
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Boardroom Chic - Meanwhile, Queen Latifah was also making moves behind the scenes — in the boardroom to be exact. She came up as part of DJ-producer Mark the 45 King's Flavor Unit crew, which also included Apache, Chill Rob and Lateef. But as her success grew, the brand evolved into her umbrella organization, responsible for all her business dealings, including production, management and real estate. Under Latifah and partner Shakim Compere, Flavor Unit became one of rap's preeminent management companies, with a list of clients and former clients that includes OutKast, Naughty by Nature and others.(Photo: Sony BMG)
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Setting It Off - Latifah stepped up her game when she landed a major supporting role in the classic 1996 heist flick Set It Off. (Photo: New Line Cinema)
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Talk It Up - Latifah started getting more and more mainstream attention with the two-year run of her syndicated talk show The Queen Latifah Show.(Photo: Reuters)
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Good To Mama - Latifah's biggest breakthrough yet was her role in the Best Picture Oscar-winning 2002 adaptation of the musical Chicago, which landed her an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress. The Queen had arrived. (Photo: Miramax Films)
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